frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed ˈfrə-ˌstrā-təd 

: feeling, showing, or characterized by frustration: such as

a

: feeling discouragement, anger, and annoyance because of unresolved problems or unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs

In fact Harry thought his behavior had been very good considering how frustrated and angry he felt at being stuck in Privet Drive this long …

—J. K. Rowling

b

: having an ambition that has not been realized

a frustrated actor [=a person who wants to be an actor but has not succeeded in becoming one]

Over the past decade, however, advances in digital printing technologies have brought the costs of publication down and paved the way for thousands of frustrated writers to get their work into print.

—Robert K. J. Killheffer

Examples of frustrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On average, about one in 10 South Koreans own a Samsung share, though about 1 million frustrated retail investors dumped Samsung stock in 2023. —Rachel Ventresca, Fortune Asia, 7 June 2024

Garcia says he's grown frustrated that Greene has used her platform on the committee to discount the severity of COVID instead of discuss productive actions that can be taken. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024

Some community members were frustrated that Monday’s hearing, where Posley resigned, was combined with a hearing on the district’s late financial reports, with each speaker given two minutes to address both items together. —Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024

Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department, which serves a county of less than 10,000 people, has received thousands of frustrated emails, social media comments and phone calls, Bingham said. —Caitlin Tan, NPR, 1 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed

: filled with a sense of frustration : feeling deep insecurity, discouragement, or dissatisfaction

learned not to resort to aggressiveness when frustrated

—Ashley Montagu